The mess that Man U are in continues to fascinate me, like watching a pile of wreckage from a distance. Shockingly, they finished 3rd in the Prem last season but that looks like an aberration.

It's...not good when one of your players goes to the press to criticize the board for not backing the coach on the transfer market. And while I do think this on the surface reflects a certain lack of maturity or tact on Lisandro's part...it also feels like a player taking it upon himself to fill a void of ambition. Martinez's fuller comments also sound not like a guy who is lashing out, but a veteran who is trying to lead.

Looking over at Transfermarkt though you could hardly say the club failed to spend. Just: I have no idea what they're getting out of their top transfers. For a few years now, even. It looks dire.